Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Taiwan's military exercises a 'wasteful charade': Defense Ministry spokesman

China

Taiwan's military exercises a 'wasteful charade': Defense Ministry spokesman
China

China

Taiwan's military exercises a 'wasteful charade': Defense Ministry spokesman

2026-08-14 17:05 Last Updated At:18:47

China's Ministry of National Defense on Friday dismissed as a wasteful charade the so-called "Han Kuang exercises" boasted about by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan, underlining that the dead end of 'Taiwan secession' cannot be changed by the exercises.

According to reports, during this year's "Han Kuang 42" exercises, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te rehearsed a "wartime escape" route, while simulated communications slowdowns and phased internet outages also caused public panic.

"The so-called 'Han Kuang exercises' have always been a showy, wasteful charade. This year we see even more clearly Lai Ching-te's cowardly nature of feigning defense while truly planning to flee. The Democratic Progressive Party authorities have also recklessly manufactured war panic, accelerating the transformation of cities into battlefields and pushing the public to the front lines, undermining peace in Taiwan society and harming the safety and well-being of ordinary people," Defense Ministry Spokesman Chen Xi said at a press briefing in Beijing.

"We solemnly warn the Democratic Progressive Party authorities that 'Taiwan secession' is a dead end that cannot be changed, and these exercises will not delivery them any victory. The People's Liberation Army remains ready and prepared, continuously improving its practical combat capabilities against secession and external interference. It has always been a solid safeguard for defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity and for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he said.

Taiwan's military exercises a 'wasteful charade': Defense Ministry spokesman

Taiwan's military exercises a 'wasteful charade': Defense Ministry spokesman

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warned on Monday that hostilities in Yemen are forcing people to flee their homes, causing civilian casualties, and putting the already stretched humanitarian operations there under growing pressure.

Renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced at least 125,000 civilians from 18,000 households since the start of September, he said at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York City.

The UN Human Rights Office has verified 40 civilian casualties -- eight dead and 32 injured -- in the first two weeks of this month. Women and children account for half of those killed and more than half of those injured, Haq said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the United Nations and its humanitarian partners continue to respond, despite extremely difficult operating conditions, providing aid to thousands of households as of Saturday. However, supplies are critically low, and funding is falling short of needs.

Haq highlighted that humanitarian access and movements remain severely constrained due to insecurity. Humanitarian movements into and within several locations on Yemen's west coast remain suspended, while key roads are restricted or impassable.

"We call on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law and facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access so that urgently needed assistance can reach communities in need," Haq said.

Hostilities in Yemen drive displacement amid access challenges: UN official

Hostilities in Yemen drive displacement amid access challenges: UN official

Recommended Articles